Monday, September 16, 2013

BOOK OF LOVE TO REUNITE FOR WEST COAST MINI-TOUR IN OCTOBER

** First Cali Gigs For Influential and Beloved NYC Electronic Act In More than A Decade **

September 16, 2013 -- Seminal New York City electro-pop band Book of Love will reunite for several California shows in October. The group, comprised of three original members Susan Ottaviano (lead vocals), Ted Ottaviano (keyboards/vocals) and Lauren Johnson (keyboards/vocals) is set to perform at Los Globos in Silverlake on October 8th, DNA Lounge in San Francisco, CA on October 9th, That 80s Club in Pomona, CA on October 10th and two nights at the New Wave Bar in Bellflower, CA on October 11th & 12th. These shows mark their first West Coast performances since the group disbanded more than a decade ago.

Emerging from the New York City post punk underground in the mid-1980s, Book of Love were quickly signed to Sire Records by the legendary Seymour Stein on the strength of their ubiquitous club hit “Boy”, produced by their friend and in-studio mentor Ivan Ivan. The track, featuring Susan’s deadpan vocal buoyed by an infectious synth hook, told the tale of a girl who wanted to be ‘where the boys are’ but was not allowed and created the eclectic template for their unique sound. “Boy” was the first in a string of dark and catchy tunes – “I Touch Roses”, “Modigliani (Lost In Your Eyes)”and “You Make Me Feel So Good” – that were played non-stop on dance floors and on alternative radio throughout the country and would eventually comprise their first eponymous album, now acknowledged a synthpop classic of the era.

After a two-year opening slot for Depeche Mode as well as headlining their own tour, their second album Lullaby was released. The first two tracks kicked open the door with the chart topping remix of Mike Oldfield's "Tubular Bells” (theme from The Exorcist) and the socially conscious "Pretty Boys & Pretty Girls" which became a crossover hit on the Billboard Hot 100 singles chart. The song became one of the earliest to address the AIDS crisis which was beginning to devastate the nation. The albums Candy Carol and Lovebubble would follow throughout the 90s as did further club hits such as “Alice Everyday” and “Boy Pop”, adding not just to the band’s catalog but their legend as well.

As time has passed since those early days of electronica, Book of Love’s influence and reputation, along with the popularity of electronic and dance music has only grown. Returning in 2013 both to the studio and to the stage, Susan, Ted and Lauren refuse to rest on their laurels and continue to forge their own creative path in the era of EDM and beyond. http://www.bookoflovemusic.com/